EICMA 2015: Yamaha MT-10 debuts

Having already set a milestone with its all-new 2015 YZF-R1, Japanese powerhouse Yamaha have opted surprise everyone by debuting the superbike’s naked offshoot during EICMA 2015.

Meet the all-new Yamaha MT-10 super-naked. Essentially, this is the budget-friendly Yamaha R1S superbike as we know it reborn as a streetfighter.

As far as its design goes, the work is rather controversial to say the least with Yamaha fans being divided over it. Nevertheless, we can’t argue at the fact that it looks rather sharp and quite futuristic, more akin to some of Yamaha’s radical concepts instead of a full-blown production bike.

More importantly, the MT-10’s arrival signals Yamaha entry into the competitive super-naked segment, and sees the brand completing its range of offerings to cover a wide spectrum of buyers. Yamaha has been absent in the high performance naked bike segment since perhaps the Fazer 1000 model.

Being based on the venerable R1 superbike, the MT-10 shares the same 998cc CP4 crossplane in-line four-cylinder from its fully-faired sibling, albeit detuned ‘slightly’ with just 165hp and roughly 101.6Nm of torque. Complementing the powertrain are features such as a three-level traction control feature, a slipper clutch, as well as a cruise control function.

The chassis is also derived from the R1S, with the MT-10 also retaining the same suspension set and swingarm assembly. And, minus the Bosch IMU, much of the R1S’s electronics package is also retained here in the MT-10. Other notable highlights include a full LCD dash, 320mm twin floating front discs with quad-piston radial calipers combined with a single 220mm rear disc with a sliding calipers, as well as ABS.

Clearly, Yamaha has got the BMW S1000R naked in its target crosshairs, explaining the standard equipped cruise control. This being based on the budget R1S, we can also expect this MT-10 to carry a lower pricing from the flagship R1 as well. There is no doubt though that the MT-10 now sits at the top of the brand’s MT naked model range.

Co-founder of Bikes Republic and a motoring journalist by night. He is a self described enthusiasts with a passion for speed but instead rides a Harley and a J300. A man of contradictions, he is just as passionate about time off in the quiets as he is about trail braking into turn one at Sepang Circuit on two or four wheels.